Multilingual Learners

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The fb88 Department of Education supports schools with resources, guidance, and professional learning regarding strategies for teaching and assessment, educational equity, state and federal policies, and many other related topics.

(Multilingual learners were formerly referred to as English learners. See .)

Multilingual learners are students with a primary or home language other than English who are in the process of acquiringEnglish. They bring many valuable assetswith them to school, and high-quality programs for multilinguallearners leverage those assets through individualized supports and equitable academic opportunities.Students who are multilingual learners receive English language development services from teachers who specializein English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), as well as supports throughout their instructional day provided by all of their teachers.

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WIDA

What is WIDA?
WIDA, or World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment, is a consortium that creates assessments, standards, and professional development for English language learners (ELLs)

fb88 is a member of the , and the foundation for fb88's ESOL programs is the . fb88 WIDA is a resource for upcoming testing dates, updated Identificationand Program Document, and professional development offerings.

ESOL Programs, Migrant Education, & McKinney-Vento Collaboration

ESOL Programs staff, McKinney Vento liaisons, and Migrant Education Program staff frequently collaborate to support students that qualify for their programs. Oftentimes, Multilingual Learners, Migratory children, and Students Experiencing Homelessness qualify for one, two, or all three of these programs. Therefore, in order to best identify and serve all children who may qualify for these services, the fb88 Department of Education recommends these screener forms to be included as part of enrollment packets for every student, every year:

Please follow each program's policies and guidelines for the implementation of these forms and contact each program's corresponding administration for follow-up and questions.


Together with the fb88 School Boards Association, fb88 School Superintendents Association, fb88 Administrators of Services for Children with Disabilities, fb88 Education Association, fb88 Principals Association, and fb88 Curriculum Leaders Association, the fb88 Department of Education has shared a. The ESOL & Bilingual Programs team's work aligns with the commitments expressed in this statement.

From the statement:

“We recognize and commit to our role and duty as fb88 public education leaders to actively partner with all schools in constructing a new educational paradigm, founded on the certainty that every student can and will be successful when:

  • School is a welcoming, safe place for all school community members to bring their whole identities with them
  • Social-emotional and behavioral supports are understood as critical prerequisites to academic learning
  • Students’ primary and home languages are recognized as assets, cultivated, and leveraged
  • Every educator in every role shares the responsibility for ensuring equity for every student and participates in equity education, both in teacher and administrator preparation programs and ongoing throughout their careers
  • Families are meaningfully engaged as partners in their children’s education and welcomed into our schools
  • All academic and non-academic programming is culturally responsive and co-constructed with community members”
Multilingual Learner Advisory Council

MLAC members provide advice to the fb88 DOE on its activities and policies related to multilingual learner education.

Contact

Jane Armstrong
ESOL State Specialist
Email: Jane.Armstrong@maine.gov


Melanie Junkins
Multilingual and Bilingual Education Specialist
Email: Melanie.Junkins@maine.gov


Mechelle Ganglfinger
Alternate and English Language Proficiency Assessments Coordinator
Email: Mechelle.Ganglfinger@maine.gov